Buckinghamshire Council is supporting National Safeguarding Adults Week, 15 – 21 November 2021

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Buckinghamshire Council will be supporting National Safeguarding Adults Week as part of its ‘See something. Say something. Do something’ campaign to encourage residents to make a report if they are concerned or suspect an adult is being abused or neglected.

Safeguarding Adults Week is a time for organisations to come together to raise awareness of important safeguarding issues. The aim is to highlight safeguarding key issues, facilitate conversations and to raise awareness of safeguarding best practice.

The Ann Craft Trust (ACT) is a national charity that exists to minimise the risk of abuse of disabled children and adults at risk. Every year since 2018, ACT hosts Safeguarding Adults Week which enables organisations and individuals to feel confident in recognising signs of abuse and neglect and recording and reporting safeguarding concerns.

This year, the theme is ‘creating safer cultures’, is all about how organisations and individuals can take steps to minimise harm occurring in the first instance. At the same time, it means ensuring correct policies and procedures are in place so that when safeguarding concerns are raised, they can be investigated and responded to so that the victim can receive the right help and support at the right time to prevent any further abuse.

Buckinghamshire Council is working with Buckinghamshire’s Safeguarding Adults Board, Thames Valley Police, the CCG and Oxfordshire Mental Health Trust to put on a webinar and additional training for staff. There will also be information stalls around the county staffed by people from the Council’s Social Services and Community Safety teams. Other agencies, including Voices & Choices, Community Banker, Thames Valley Police and Trading Standards will also be on-hand to offer help and advice. Visit one of our stalls. Between 10am and 1pm we will be in Aylesbury Friars Square (Monday 15), Amersham Market (Tuesday 16), High Wycombe Eden Centre (Thursday 18) and Marlow Library (Friday 19).

Angela Macpherson, Buckinghamshire Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:

“Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. This awareness week isn’t just about knowing your role in an employment setting, but also knowing your role as an individual in everyday life. If you know how to recognise adult abuse and neglect, and you know what to do if you spot it, then you can help promote safer cultures in your community by sharing information with your friends, relatives and neighbours.

“If you want to get involved and support the week visit the Ann Craft Trust website which provides resources, free podcasts, posters details of online training courses which will help you or your organisation to raise awareness of safeguarding issues.

“We hope you can join the conversation and spread the word, because everyone deserves to live a happy life, in a safe place free from harm.”